The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-02-18
ALLEN COUNTY and lola.
A Short Description of the Things
we Have and q word CT two Gen.
corning the Things we Want.

L
ing in the second tier of counties west
from the Missouri line, and the third
from the Indian Territory on the south.
This Is the best watered, timbered
and in all respects the most desirable
portion Of the State, and this county is
second to no other in all respects. 1t
is traversed from north west to south
east blythe NeoshO river which receives
within the county number Of consid-
cradle tributaries from either side
These tributaries are in turn fed by in
Vulnerable ravines and branches trav-
ersing the prairie in every direction,
which furnish stock water the year
round, 80 that there are few sections
upon some part of which a supply
may not be found. Water for domes-
tic purposes may be found everywhere
by sinking to a moderate depth, and
there are occasional springs. The wa
ter in both wells and springs is pure
and good,
The timber is confined to the valleys
Of the streams and consists Of the usual
varieties of hard wood-oak, walnut,
blackberry, &c. The quality is good,
and the quantity sufficient for practic-
al purposes. There is an abundance
that might be used but since the con-
structiou of railroads into the county,
pine has almost superseded the native
lumber for building; and for fencing
either pine boards, barbed wire or
stone is found better and cheaper.
But for fuel the timber together with
the coal which has been discovered in
various localities, furnishes an album
dance for all time. The price of hard
wood in the towns is about $3.50 per
cord and of coal from 10 to 20 cents per
bushel. In this respect our county has
greatly the advantage of the western
part of the State, where the --only de.
pendence for fuel is on coal transport
ed long distances by rail. Coal crops
out in various parts of this county,
but no vein has yet been found of suf-
ficient thickness to be profitably work.
ed.
The productions of the county are
such as would be expected from the
above description of the soil and cli-
mate. A great number of our farmers
find their greatest profit in raising corn
aud feeding it to cattle and hogs. OF
late years broom corn has been large
ly cultivated and has been, found very
profitable, the soil and climate being
well adapted to its growth aud there
being generally a good demand for it..
With the exception of peaches,
which are frequently winter.killed, all
sorts Of large and small fruits native
to temperate climate grow here in
the greatest abundance and reach the
highest perfection. An exhibit of ap-
Piles from this county was awarded the
first premium at the New Orleans Ex-
position in 1884, besides which our
fruit of various kinds has taken large
number of premiums ut fairs in this
and other States.
THE PRICE OF LAND
For several years the title to about
Il, 900 acres of land in this county has
been in dispute, and in consequence
has practically been withdrawn from
market. BY recent decision of the
U. s. Supreme Court, however, this
dispute has been settled and the land
can now be bought with assurance of
perfect title. 1t comprises some of
the best land in the county and can be
had at from 10 to SIS an acre. Consid-
ering the development which Kansas
has now reached this price is astonisf-
ingly low and those who want to pur-
chase homes would do we'll to make
contracts without delay. These lands
are bound to double in value within
very few years. Well improved farms
are held at from $50 to $40 an acre.
OTHER PRICES
Good work horses range in prices
from $50 to Sl25. Mules are little
higher. Agricultural implements,
groceries and dry goods sell at about
the same price as the same articles in
the middle States.
THINGS IN GENERAL
The population of the county is about |
5000. 1t has been organized for 80
years and is therefore long past its
pioneer period. 1t has a settled and
intelligent society, is we'll supplied |
with church and school buildings, has
two railroads crossing the county at
right angles and another crossing the
corner,-it has, in short, all
the advantages, in the way of modern
appliances for convenience and comfort
by old settled communities,
with few, if any, Of their disadvanta-
ges.
OUR TOWN |,
lola, the County Seat, is situated
within half Il mile of the NeoshO River,
1t the crossing of the Southern Kansas
Ind st. Louis, Fort Scott & Wichita
and has a population of
.bout 1,SOO. In the way of public
it has five..churche's fine
'rick school house, recently completed
It cost of ST. ,O0O) an Opera House, a